Regional conservation forum, West/central Asia & North Africa Programme, Amman, Jordan, 10-14 February 1998
Publication
1998
Related content
Unite for Nature on the path to 2045
Unite for Nature on the Path to 2045: A 20-Year Strategic Vision for the Union articulates IUCN’s commitment to “a just world that values and conserves nature” and establishes a clear direction for the next two decades. It guides collective efforts to safeguard biodiversity, inspire societal engagement, and drive transformative change toward a sustainable future.
Unite for Nature on the path to 2045
Unite for Nature on the Path to 2045: A 20-Year Strategic Vision for the Union articulates IUCN’s commitment to “a just world that values and conserves nature” and establishes a clear direction for the next two decades. It guides collective efforts to safeguard biodiversity, inspire societal engagement, and drive transformative change toward a sustainable future.
Unite for Nature on the path to 2045
Unite for Nature on the Path to 2045: A 20-Year Strategic Vision for the Union articulates IUCN’s commitment to “a just world that values and conserves nature” and establishes a clear direction for the next two decades. It guides collective efforts to safeguard biodiversity, inspire societal engagement, and drive transformative change toward a sustainable future.
From the whistle to the dawn chorus: how Tottenham Hotspur is listening to nature to guide biodiversity action
Tottenham Hotspur, a Premier League club aiming to lead the way not only on the pitch but also in sustainability, has become the first sports organisation to introduce smart biodiversity monitoring at its training facilities in Enfield. Building on initiatives like offering vegan food at all stadium kiosks, using 100% renewable electricity, and including sustainability in employee inductions, the Club has deployed two innovative systems: one capturing the dawn chorus of birds, the other measuring pollination activity. Positioned in the garden areas and flower beds that surround the training pitches, both feed real-time data into dashboards, which the Club analyses with ecologists to assess trends and understand how land use and maintenance affect biodiversity. These insights will guide a long-term ecological strategy that embeds biodiversity into site management and supports Spurs’ wider environmental goals—leading the way for other sports clubs in biodiversity conservation.
Ramsar Wetland Guardians Program’ in operation at Jilmoe-neup Wetland, the only alpine Ramsar wetland in South Korean National P
Jilmoe-neup in Odaesan National Park is the only alpine Ramsar wetland within Korea’s national parks and holds significant ecological value. While it is strictly managed for biodiversity and nature conservation, growing concerns over climate change and the push for carbon neutrality highlight the need for broader public interest and involvement in wetland protection. In response, there is a shift from a solely protection-oriented approach toward one that encourages active public participation. It aims to help people rediscover the ecological importance of wetlands and take part in conservation efforts. To support this, the ‘Ramsar Wetland Guardians’ program was developed as the citizen participation program. It combines environmental education with hands-on exploration of wetland ecology. Through the BioBlitz method, participants work alongside experts to survey the biodiversity of Jilmoe-neup, document their findings, and engage in activities that monitor ecological changes within the wetland.
GOOD PRACTICES FOR THE HANDLING AND RELEASE OF SENSITIVE SPECIES INTERACTING WITH THE TUNA PURSE SEINE FISHERY
In 2016, three fishing companies carried out a pre-assessment to establish a Marine Stewardship Council program. In 2017, two more joined, launching the Fishery Improvement Project toward MSC certification. Member companies, including NIRSA, Jadran Group, Servigrup, Eurofish, Tri Marine, Marbelize, Manacripex, Pacifictuna, and Tunaquick, have worked with the support of the Ecuadorian government and WWF to improve fishery management and reduce environmental impact.
TUNACONS promotes sustainable fishing in the Eastern Pacific by optimizing tuna yields through scientific research. It also trains the sector and supports the reduction of ecosystem impacts.
Since October 2017, a code of good practices for handling and releasing bycatch has been implemented, aimed at captains and crew. Key actions include:
– 59 vessels recording data on bycatch reduction and incidental catches
– Collaboration in a manta ray tagging program
– Training sessions on IATTC resolutions, sensitive species handling, and external evaluations.
Smart DESERT project: Sustainable Agriculture for Resilient Livelihoods and Economic Empowerment
The Smart DESERT project was funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) with a total budget of EUR 10 million and implemented by a consortium of organisations led by IUCN ROWA, targeting the area of the North-East Badia highlands in Jordan. The project was designed to achieve two key objectives: (1) increased year-round income and (2) improved work conditions, with an overarching goal of economic empowerment of Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanians in the agricultural sector.
The project addresses key challenges such as water scarcity, land degradation, rural unemployment, and limited market access. By introducing water harvesting systems, regenerative agriculture practices, and digital tools, Smart DESERT helps farmers improve productivity, conserve natural resources, and build climate resilience. It also supports the creation of home-based agribusinesses and facilitates connections to markets and finance.
Grasshopper Project Management Tool for Invasive Species Management
In 1995, South Africa launched one of its most progressive job creation initiatives: the Working for Water programme. It focused on protecting ecosystems by removing invasive vegetation from mountain catchment areas while creating jobs and reducing poverty in vulnerable communities. The programme has since created thousands of jobs and supported families across diverse landscapes. However, a key challenge has been the limited transfer of business, finance, and technology skills to participants. The Grasshopper Tool—a web and mobile application—helps address this by enabling contractors to manage projects, field teams, tools, and equipment. It also allows them to generate quotes and invoices for ongoing and new work opportunities, reducing reliance on paper. Additionally, the tool is also meant to support conservation agencies in managing large teams and projects efficiently.
Smart Cycad Construction: Building a New Ecological Defense Line
Although the Sichuan Panzhihua Cycad National Nature Reserve covers a small area, it is situated on the outskirts of an urban area where the surrounding region is highly urbanized and industrialized, with frequent human activity. Due to the combined effects of the dry-hot valley climate and human activities, the fire risk is high. As a national nature reserve with exceptionally high ecological value, it faces significant protection challenges, and traditional management methods encounter considerable difficulties. Leveraging technology to enhance conservation efforts, the reserve has implemented a localized smart Cycad informatization system. Equipped with various monitoring devices such as drones, field video surveillance, and infrared cameras, the reserve has established an informatized and intelligent monitoring system. This has successfully created an integrated patrol and monitoring system.
“Shark-Free Ceviche” Seal
The “Shark-Free Ceviche” seal is a benchmark that will certify fish ceviche products that have not been made with protein from elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) or other species threatened with extinction or protected by law in the countries where the seal is implemented. The aim is to inform consumers that the use of the fish species targeted by this initiative is rejected, to differentiate the companies that join the initiative, and thereby discourage their fishing, trade, and consumption. The challenge is to bring commercial allies on board, who often see the initiative as an increase in their operating costs, even though it is not as much as they think. The positive thing is that more companies want to join, and organizations similar to MarViva in other countries are beginning to show interest in partnering with the seal and implementing it.
Preventing Amphibian Roadkill and Stabilizing Habitats Through Public-Private Governance
The amphibian roadkill prevention and habitat stabilization project is a public-private partnership involving the Odaesan National Park, local residents, and volunteers. Its purpose is to prevent the roadkill during the breeding season and to create stable habitats for their survival. Each year, a significant number of roadkills occur on the road passing through the national park. It leads to a loss of biodiversity and negatively affects the quality of life for residents due to unpleasant odors and unsightly conditions. In 2014, a roadmap for management was developed through public-private cooperation, establishing the foundation for systematic roadkill prevention. In 2015, a park protection agreement was signed between the park and residents, leading to the creation of an environmental protection organization dedicated to annual amphibian roadkill prevention efforts. Plus, villagers donated private land totaling 12,304㎡ to creat an alternative habitat, providing a safe environment for amphibians to lay eggs and thrive.
Campamento tiburón
MarAdentro is a scientific foundation, established in 2021 in Bahía Solano, focused on marine conservation with a mission to promote scientific advancement to enhance marine protection, through science, education, and outreach. A key component of its mission is “Shark Camp”, a project initiated in collaboration with the local tourism agency, Bahía Solano me llama. During whale shark season in Colombia, tourists and visitors can participate in a week-long excursion with the Foundation’s scientific team, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental principles, objectives, and methodologies of shark research.
This initiative is twofold. First, it seeks to provide financial support for the scientific research carried out by the MarAdentro Foundation, it also aims to raise awareness and reduce the stigmatization of sharks as a dangerous species, thereby fostering the establishment of additional alliances for the conservation of shark species.
